Marcus Cirillo, 5, waves a Canadian flag from a car window
Marcus Cirillo, 5, waves a Canadian flag from a car window as the car leaves following the funeral service for his father, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo in Hamilton, Ontario October 28, 2014. Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, was one of two soldiers killed in a pair of attacks police said were carried out independently by radical recent converts to Islam at a time when Canada's military is stepping up its involvement in air strikes against Islamic State militants in the Middle East. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

Thousands of Canadians gathers on the streets of Hamilton to mourn the death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo who had been killed by a gunman on Wednesday. Cirillo was standing guard at the National War Memorial when Michael Zehaf-Bibeau fatally shot him.

Cirillo's funeral on Tuesday, Oct. 28 was held at Christ's Church Cathedral. Several military personnel marched along with Cirillo's casket. Cirillo's family, colleagues and friend who were present at the funeral also included the 5-year-old son of the fallen soldier. Little Marcus wore a red and white Glengarry hat and slowly walked behind the casket. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to Cirillo whose death, according to him, was a "bitter and truly heart-wrenching irony."

The Star reported that Harper first addressed Cirillo's family which included sisters Natasha and Nicole, stepfather Victor Briffa and mother Katherine. Harper wished that the "searing pain of today" should be ease with time. Thereafter, the Canada PM talked about young Marcus. Harper wished that Cirillo's young son would find comfort someday in the fact that the entire nation looked up to his father with gratitude, pride and respect. He also said that Canada was "heart-broken" at the loss. However, he said that Canada's spirits were grateful for Cirillo's memory.

The Spec reported that Cirillo was a child at heart even though he appeared to be a tough man. The 24-year-old reservist was apparently great friends with his young son. Jenny Holland, speaking on behalf of Cirillo's family, said that Marcus had adored his father. Harper said that Cirillo had worked for one of the greatest regiments in Canada. "It's a history written in blood. Now, sadly, Cpl. Cirillo has added another page to that great heritage of devotion unto death," Harper said.

The Rev. Canon Robert Fead said that it might not be possible to imagine the grief the family was experiencing. He, nevertheless, thanked the family for allowing the entire national to share the grief of Cirillo's death. Fead called Cirillo "Canada's son." He also said that Cirillo's death would not go in vain. His death made Canada more determined and more unified than ever. Canada remains a place of peace, hope and freedom for every man and woman, he said.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au